Identity Theft Protection Features | Equifax

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Don't let identity theft catch you off-guard

Life is full of surprises, and identity theft can be one of them. When it comes to your credit and finances, we know you’ve worked hard to get where you are. Let us help you understand identity theft and the steps you can take to help better protect yourself everyday.

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Where are you in your identity journey?

If you’re just beginning to learn about identity theft and the ways in which it can occur, why not start with the basics of Identity Theft 101?

Getting Started with Identity Theft

It’s never too late to start learning about identity theft. If you’re a beginner, it’s important to understand the basics: What exactly is identity theft? Who is most at risk? What are some things you do every day that might put you at the greatest risk for becoming a victim? Learn some of the latest methods identity thieves are using when it comes to this complex and constantly-evolving crime.

If you pride yourself in the smart habits you apply every day when it comes to identity theft protection, then keep up the good work and learn more about the ways to stay ahead of tomorrow’s identity thief.

Staying Focused

Even if you change your complex passwords on a regular basis, your focused habits might not prevent you from being a victim of identity theft. Are you up to speed on all of the ways your smartphone may be hacked and your personal information compromised? Take your identity theft knowledge to the next level by staying in the know.

You may have been suffering from data breach fatigue, but don’t get caught up in all of chatter. Separate the noise from the news and find out what you should do if you’ve been notified your information is involved in a data breach.

I’m Involved in a Data Breach

If you've recently been notified that your information was involved in a data breach, you likely have a lot of questions. We're here to help answer those questions and help you understand the steps you may take to help better protect your identity in the future.

Providing a close family member with a list of usernames and passwords is a smart backup strategy.

Fiction

Don’t share your usernames and passwords – not even with friends and family. That information can be used to compromise your identity.

Fact or Fiction:

Cross-shredding important documents with sensitive information is one way to help protect myself from identity theft.

Fact

Cross-shredding important documents is a smart habit to get into when discarding sensitive information.

Fact or Fiction:

My credit score will not be impacted by identity theft.

Fiction

Depending on the severity of the identity theft incident, your credit score may be impacted by identity theft.

Fact or Fiction:

Using a debit card for online purchases is the same as using a credit card for online purchases

Fiction

Fraud is handled differently for debit cards compared to credit cards. Two laws protect your rights and although they offer similar protections, knowing the differences will help you choose which you are more comfortable using for online purchases.

Fact or Fiction:

When it comes to spotting unauthorized charges on my credit card, using one card dedicated for online purchases may be helpful.

Fact

You may want to consider using one dedicated credit card when making online purchases. It can make tracking your charges easier, as well as potentially spotting identity theft.

I don’t have to quickly report a small fraudulent charge on my credit card; that’s likely just an honest mistake.

Fiction

If you spot a charge on your credit card that isn't yours, contact your credit card company immediately — even if the charge is for a small amount. Your account can be closed and you can request to be issued a new card to prevent further fraud.

Fact or Fiction:

I should contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if I have been the victim of identity theft.

Fact

The Federal Trade Commission or FTC manages all types of identity theft and should be notified immediately if you have been a victim.

Fact or Fiction:

If I’ve been the victim of identity theft, I should place a security freeze on my credit report.

It Depends

A security freeze is one option for individuals who have been a victim of identity theft. However, all cases are unique, and your financial situation may warrant a different solution.

Fact or Fiction:

Reviewing my credit report once a year is a smart way to spot identity theft.

Fact

True! Reviewing your credit report once a year with the three credit bureaus or through annualcreditreport.com is a great way to spot if you’ve been the victim of identity theft.

You are not required to provide your Social Security number to your healthcare provider. Ask if the last four digits will suffice, and don’t be shy about asking what kind of security measures your healthcare provider has in place in the event of a data breach.

Fact or Fiction:

Identity theft and identity fraud are the same thing.

Fiction

While they sound similar, they are definitely different. Identity theft serves as the stage for acquiring and collecting someone’s personal information. Identity fraud is the actual use of the stolen information to commit fraud.

An identity thief may wait up to a year or even longer before using your personal information for financial transactions, so stay alert by routinely monitoring your credit reports and thoroughly reading your financial account statements.

Fact or Fiction:

I can reveal medical or insurance information by phone or email to my healthcare provider.

It Depends

Don't reveal medical or insurance information by phone or email unless you made the first contact.

Fact or Fiction:

A security freeze and fraud alert are not the same.

Fact

A security freeze “locks down” your credit. A fraud alert will not stop lenders from granting credit in your name, but it does tell them to take extra steps to confirm your identity before doing so.

Fact or Fiction:

The first thing I should do after a data breach is confirm that it actually took place.

Fact

After a data breach, scammers have been known to send phishing emails to consumers, claiming to be from the breached organization and offering credit monitoring products. Before you respond to any emails or divulge any personal information, contact the company directly to verify that the email is authentic.

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